Annular Optical Component with Tapered Anti-Reflective Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical systems fail to effectively eliminate stray light, leading to halo effects in images, particularly in environments with high light intensity or dim lighting conditions, due to their inability to properly manage unwanted light entering the image sensor.
Innovation Solution
An annular optical component with a molded anti-reflective layer structure and a frame structure is introduced, where the anti-reflective layer has a tapered portion and is made of resin material with glass fiber, and the frame is made of metal, designed to reduce stray light reflection by controlling the thickness and angle of the anti-reflective layer and ensuring proper attachment and sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a conventional optical system is used, then the structure is simple, but the capability of eliminating stray light is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The optical component is divided into distinct functional regions: a first region with a first refractive index and a second region with a second refractive index. This segmentation allows different parts of the component to handle light differently, with the interface between regions specifically designed to reduce stray light reflection while maintaining overall structural functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the optical component are assigned different optical properties (refractive indices). The first region has a specific refractive index optimized for one function, while the second region has a different refractive index optimized for another function, particularly for reducing stray light. This local differentiation of optical properties enables targeted stray light elimination without compromising the entire component's performance.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the anti-reflective layer is made thinner to reduce reflection, then stray light elimination improves, but the layer becomes more difficult to manufacture with proper thickness control
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of relying on a single thin anti-reflective layer with precise thickness control, the invention changes the approach by creating multiple regions with different refractive indices. The interface between these regions is positioned and dimensioned according to specific parameters (first distance and second distance from the optical axis) to achieve stray light reduction. This parameter-based design allows for more manufacturable dimensions while achieving the same optical effect.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a molded anti-reflective layer structure with tapered portion is used, then stray light reflection is reduced, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the anti-reflective function with the structural support function into a single integrated optical component. The component includes both the anti-reflective features (regions with different refractive indices positioned at specific distances) and the structural elements (flange, mounting features) in one piece, eliminating the need for separate anti-reflective coatings or attachments and simplifying the overall manufacturing process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The annular optical component effectively reduces stray light reflection, improving image quality by minimizing halo effects across various lighting conditions, making it suitable for use in electronic devices and intelligent image sensing applications.
Implementation Method 1
The inner surface includes a molded anti-reflective layer structure. The molded anti-reflective layer structure surrounds a central axis of the annular optical component, and the molded anti-reflective layer defines a central aperture.
Implementation Method 2
Conventional optical systems fail to effectively eliminate stray light, leading to halo effects in images, particularly in environments with high light intensity or dim lighting conditions, due to their inability to properly manage unwanted light entering the image sensor.
Implementation Method 3
The molded anti-reflective layer structure includes a tapered portion adjacent to the central aperture, and the tapered portion tapers off along a direction from the outer surface toward the inner surface.
Data Source
AI summary
An annular optical component includes an inner surface, an outer surface, an object-side surface and an image-side surface. The inner surface includes a molded anti-reflective layer structure surrounding a central axis of the annular optical component. The molded anti-reflective layer structure defines a central aperture. The outer surface includes a frame structure surrounding at least a part of the molded anti-reflective layer structure. A hardness of the frame structure is larger than a hardness of the molded anti-reflective layer structure. The object-side surface and the image-side surface respectively face toward an object side and an image side of the annular optical component. The molded anti-reflective layer structure is joined with the frame structure. The molded anti-reflective layer structure includes a tapered portion adjacent to the central aperture, and the tapered portion tapers off along a direction from the outer surface toward the inner surface.